My Blog Has Moved

I've decided to move my blog to my own web site. So, if you would like to see the latest of what I've been doing, you'll have to go to my new blog.

Check it out at:
http://www.forrestbrown.com/blog/

Japan - Apartment View

Japan - Chunky Cola

Cola Up, a new drink that I've been seeing around Japan. A soda that you can chew. Instead of the normal liquid you'd expect in a can of soda, it's a chunky jelly. Not bad, but kind of strange. I've also seen it in Grape and Almond Jelly flavors.

Japan - Apartment

Last year when I was staying in Japan I rented a furnished monthly apartment near Tokyo Station that was really nice and convenient. But it was also a little strange because it was in an area that was almost all business offices. So all I saw when I went out around my apartment were people in suits. For this trip I decided to try staying in a different part of Tokyo and rented an apartment near Shinjuku.

I'm staying a the Hundred Stay Serviced Apartments and have rented one of their premier apartment. The apartment is really nice with a cool modern design. The apartment is on the 21st floor with floor to ceiling windows that give an amazing view of Shinjuku.

One thing different with this apartment compared to the apartment I stayed in last year, is this apartment does not have a kitchen, just a refrigerator and microwave.

Japan - Fuji Rock 2010 - Day Three

The last day of Fuji Rock. Still cloudy and no rain until the near the eand of the day.

Oh No! The huge line to catch the shuttle bus is back. Still not quite as long as last year, only about an hour wait.

Panorama of the Main Stage.

All of the rain means lots of nice gooey, squishy mud.

Vampire Weekend on the Main Stage.

Huge Crowds, I was counting the people at the Main Stage and reached 36,528 before I lost track because some guy kept walking back and forth in front of me.

One of the food vending areas.

This guy knows how to party.

My Favorite Japanese band from Fuji Rock is Boom Boom Satellites. Their music is kind of a mash-up of Rock and Electronic.

Boom Boom Satellites

Boom Boom Satellites

Boom Boom Satellites

Atoms for Peace

Massive Attack

Japan - Fuji Rock 2010 - Day Two

Day two of Fuji Rock. The weather forecast was looking better, but it was still pretty cloudy.

Third Eye Blind on the White Stage

Third Eye Blind on the White Stage

John Fogerty on the main stage. I have never liked Creedence Clearwater Revival so it was time to find another band to listen to.

I ended up at the White Stage where Japanese rock band The Cro-Magnons was playing. They were not awesome, but better then John Fogerty.

The Cro-Magnons

Fishbone on the Red Marquee Stage

Fishbone on the Red Marquee Stage

I was planning to stay for Flogging Molly playing at 9:30, but the rain finally showed up. The rain combined with still being a little jet-lagged made me decide to head back to the condo I was staying at for a soak in the onsen and a good nights sleep.

Japan - Fuji Rock 2010 - Day One

I've made it to Fuji Rock!

The line from to catch the shuttle bus from the train station is not too bad this year, only about 10 minutes, much better then the crazy long line from last year.

Arriving at Fuji Rock. The weather is a bit overcast and cloudy, but not too bad.

Panorama of the main stage. For the bigger bands this whole area is packed with people.

A one man band. One of the cool things a Fuji Rock is some of the smaller stages and performers scattered around.

The rain has come.

Rain, rain go away!

Some mosh pit action for Ken Yokoyama at the main stage.

Flaming Ninja?

Them Crooked Vultures on the main stage. They were not doing anything for me, so time to wander around and see who else is playing.

Broken Social Scene on the Red Marquee Stage. They seemed to be trying to see how many people they could squeeze onto the stage.

Muse, time for the main band of the day.

Muse put on a really great show.

Japan - I'm heading to Japan

I'm heading back to Japan to go to the Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic music festivals and then to hang out for a couple of weeks.

Flying United this trip. This trip is a little different because instead of flying directly to Tokyo from LAX, I'm flying to San Francisco, switching planes and then flying to Tokyo. Coming back I fly directly to LAX.

The Jet had a flat tire that they were changing before we boarded. I wonder if they have AAA roadside assistance?

California - Stars Time Lapse

California - Skiing the 4th of July Weekend - Monday

The last day of the ski season.

Me at the top of Mammoth. During the winter, this sign can be completely buried with snow

There was still a small terrain park

4 rails and a medium kicker with a smaller kicker next to it

This photo is just sad. It's the last day for skiing and these guys would rather work on their tan. Even worse is where's the ladies?

At the end of the day everyone gathers at the top of the mountain for for an end of the year party/snowball fight.

Approaching the top of the mountain at the end of the day. The crowd is attacking the gondolas with snowballs

The crowd gathering at the top of the mountain for a season end party/snowball fight

Snowball fight in slow motion

After skiing I went for a soak in one of the natural hot springs around Mammoth